Philip Treacy on His New M.A.C. Collection (and the Hat You Must Own)

On a wet spring day in London last week, I found myself in a plush Claridge's suite with milliner Philip Treacy, just a little starstruck. You see, I am a hat lover. And Treacy's designs, worn by Madonna, Lady Gaga, Sarah Jessica Parker, and, oh, the Queen, are iconic. We're here to talk about his new limited-edition M.A.C. collection, inspired by a trio of couture hats: a sparkling Art Deco number, a green-and-pink spectator, and a full-on lace mask (above).

The 12 products in the collection include rich metallic cream shadows, teal and aqua eyeliners, silver-laced highlighters, and vibrant lipsticks in magenta, hot pink, and burgundy. "I'm curious: What exactly is the connection between makeup and hats?" I ask him. "They need each other," says Treacy. "If you don't wear makeup, you become overwhelmed by the hat. A strong hat needs strong eyes or lips." While Treacy says nature inspired the collection, the products are certainly not intended to create a natural look. "I can appreciate minimalism and all that beige perfection, but I have a celebratory approach to design and color," he says. As his assistant ushers me out, I can't resist one last question: "What hat should every woman own?" "A trilby," he answers quickly. "Women look sexy in men's hats."